Grout applicator

ABSTRACT

A grout applicator for use while in a standing or erect posture. Grout mixture is inserted into a large casing body three to four-and-a-half feet long through an opening that can be capped. Force is applied to a piston inserted into the open end of the casing body to cause the grout mixture to extrude from a nozzle at the other end of the casing. A handle extends from the casing body. A variety of nozzle tips of varying shapes and sizes may be attached to the nozzle as desired.

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No.60/637,161, filed Dec. 20, 2004, by Joe H. Knott, and is entitled inwhole or in part to that filing date for priority. The specificationProvisional Patent Application No. 60/637,161 is incorporated herein inits entirety by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to device for application of grout.More particularly, it relates to a grout applicator of large size thatcan be used in a standing position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Grout typically is applied for a variety of home and buildingconstruction and repair purposes, including but not limited to tiling,tub installation, and toilet installation. Current applicators aresmall, hand-held devices that require the user to kneel or stoop toapply the grout, causing physical stress and strain to the user, andeven preventing some individuals from using said device.

Accordingly, what is needed is a device for grout application that makesthe process easier and less arduous that current devices and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a grout applicator of a size to enable auser to apply a grout mixture with sufficient

Still other advantages of various embodiments will become apparent tothose skilled in this art from the following description wherein thereare shown and described exemplary embodiments of this invention simplyfor the purposes of illustration. As will be realized, the invention iscapable of other different aspects and embodiments without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the advantages, drawings,and descriptions are illustrative in nature and not restrictive innature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the numerous figures, wherein like references identifylike elements of the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplaryembodiment of the invention comprising a hollow casing body 2 with acasing inlet 4 through which a grout mixture (not show) is inserted tofill the interior of the casing body 2. The casing body 2 is generallycylindrical in form, but may be some other shape in cross-section. Thecasing body 2 has an open end 12 and a close end 14. A cap 6 closes offthe casting inlet 4. A piston 8, comprising a piston head 9 and a pistonrod 10, is inserted into the open end 12 of the casing body 2.

In one exemplary embodiment, the piston head 9 is inserted into the openend 12 of the casing body 2 prior to the insertion of grout mixture, andthe piston head 9 should be located between the casing inlet 4 and theopen end 12. The piston head 9 may be of a size and shape so as to justfit the inside of the casing body 2, but in an alternative embodiment,may be slightly smaller, in which case a thin strip of material, such asrubber or flexible plastic, may be affixed to the piston head 9 so as toextend out and contact the inside of the casing body 2.

After the desired amount of grout mixture has been added, the cap 6 isplaced on the casing inlet 4, and force is applied to the piston tocause it to move into the casing body 2, thereby causing the groutmixture to extrude from the casing nozzle 16. The casing nozzle 16extends from the closed end 14 of the casing body 2, and the tip 18 ofthe casing nozzle 16 may be flat or at an angle, or of any size orshape, as suited for the application. In yet another embodiment, a strap(not shown) may be attached to the casing body 2 to fit around theuser's shoulder, waist, or other body part for easy use and carrying.

When application is complete, the piston is removed from the casing body2, and all components of the grout applicator may be cleaned, and soakedin water for a period of time to remove any grout mixture.

Grout mixture may be prepared in the manner known in the prior art. Forexample, a grout-water solution may be prepared in a container separatefrom the present invention.

The casing body should be of a size to allow the casing nozzle 16 toreach the floor while the user is standing or in an erect posture.Accordingly, the casing body should be at least 36 inches long, morepreferably in one exemplary embodiment 48 to 52 inches long, although itmay be of some other size. In cross-section, the casing body should beat least 12 inches across or in diameter, more preferably in oneexemplary embodiment 18 to 24 inches across or in diameter, although itmay be of some other size. The other components (other than the casingnozzle 16, which is of standard size) are of a size to match. A handle20 may extend from the side of the casing body 2 opposite the casinginlet 4, in order to allow the user to better hold and manipulate theinvention. A hand grip 22 may also be attached to the end of the pistonrod 10 opposite the piston head 9 in order to allow the user to betterhold and manipulate the invention and apply manual force to the pistonrod 8.

A plurality of nozzle tips may be provided to fit onto the casing nozzle16. The nozzle tips may be slid or screwed onto the casing nozzle in asecure manner so the nozzle tip will not come off the casing nozzle 16when in use. The connection end of the nozzle tip should be of ainterior diameter to fit snugly over the outside of the casing nozzle16, while the opposing application end can be of smaller or largerdiameter, as needed. The nozzle tips can be of varying lengths andshapes, as well. In one exemplary embodiment, the tips may range fromone inch to a foot in length, while the opposing application end of thenozzle tip may range in size from ¼ inch to 3 inch in inner diameter. Aplurality of such tips may be provided in ¼ inch increments from ¼ inchup.

The components of the present invention may be made of a lightweight,waterproof material in order to reduce overall weight and make thedevice easier to use and clean. In one exemplary embodiment, thecomponents are made of polyethylene teraphthalate (PET).

Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples havebeen chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles ofthe invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one ofordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particularuses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this inventionhave been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There areseveral variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be definedby the claims appended hereto.

1. A grout applicator, comprising: a hollow casing body with an open endand a closed end; a casing nozzle extending from the open end of thecasing body; a piston insertable into the open end of the casing body; acasing inlet located along the side of the casing body between the openend and the closed end, said casing inlet allowing access to theinterior of the casing body; and means for sealing the casing inlet. 2.The grout applicator of claim 1, further comprising a handle extendingfrom the casing body on a side opposite the casing inlet.
 3. The groutapplicator of claim 1, wherein the means for sealing the casing inletcomprises a cap removably attached to the casing inlet.
 4. The groutapplicator of claim 1, wherein the piston further comprises a piston rodwith a piston head affixed to one end of said piston rod.
 5. The groutapplicator of claim 1, further comprising a hand grip attached to theend of the piston rod opposite the piston head.
 6. The grout applicatorof claim 4, further wherein the piston head is adapted to closely fitthe interior of the casing body.
 7. The grout applicator of claim 1,further wherein the casing body is at least 36 inches long.
 8. The groutapplicator of claim 1, further wherein the casing body is between 47inches and 53 inches in length.
 9. The grout applicator of claim 1,further wherein the casing body is at least 12 inches across or indiameter.
 10. The grout applicator of claim 1, further wherein thecasing body is between 17 inches and 25 inches across or in diameter.11. The grout applicator of claim 1, wherein one or more components ofthe grout applicator are made of lightweight material.
 12. The groutapplicator of claim 11, wherein said lightweight material ispolyethylene teraphthalate.
 13. The grout applicator of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more nozzle tips adapted to attach to the casingnozzle.
 14. The grout applicator of claim 1, further comprising a strapor loop attached to the casing body.